Apparatus for winding tubes



Aug. 8, 1950 w. R- SCHERER APPARATUS FOR WINDING TUBES s Sheets-Sheet '1 Filed March 1. 1946 I Z R 6226, 6

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Aug. 8, 1950 w. R. SCHERER' APPARATUS FOR WINDING TUBES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1. 1946 A A5 g g- 8, 1950 w. R. SCHERER 2,518,075

- I APPARATUS FOR WINDING TUBES Filed March 1, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet s nvf/vfsss fag/6' I. I I 47 4 70? $2 M! v fl a /zz j? Patented Aug. 8. 1950 which:

Y Y f "2,51s,o75 r APPARATUS FOR WINDINGTUBES Wayne Ri Scherer, Troopeigf Pa., assignorj fby 'mesne assignments, to Taylor Fibre 00.,

ristown ilfa atcorporation of Delaware u iiiApplication ne 1, 194-6, Serial No. 651,36l j '1 toniins. (01. 93-81) This inventionrelates"t0 an improvement in the method and apparatus for winding tubes of paper or other material impregnated-with asynthetic material, as 'phenol ior'maldehyde'resin, whereby the tightness of the winding is only limited by the strength of the stock from whichthe tube is wound. r '1" A It was known her'etoioreto'wind,the' paper strip on a driven mandrel supported between a pair of heated rolls, the tube and mandrel being retained in position between. the heated, rolls by means of a weighted roll which'retained the mandrel and tube thereon 'in'win'dingf contact with the rolls during the winding. As the strip was passedover one of the heatedfrolls to'the mandrel, then between the'mandr'el and the other heated r011 andjth'erea'lfter under the weighted roll, so the tension on thefstri'ptends to draw the mandrel away from thewinding area between the mandrel and the rolls, tending to der fiect the tube during the winding causing the formation of non-uniform'tubes'. f One of the objectsof my invention isthe provision of a method and means wherebya uniform and high tension across"thefullj'width' of a the material is maintained.

Another object of my invention is the provision of means whereby the tension of the material passing to the tube being wound, retains the tube in winding contact'witnthe'heated rolls so that the tightness of the winding of -the' tube is controlled entirely by the tension 'of the strip passing to the mandrel;

Another object of mi tention i stheprovision of means whereby" the heated rolls can 'readily be separated for the insertion of the stripbetween the rolls, for connecting the strip to'the mandrel and locking the rollsin' 'fixed relation to each other during the -winding.

Another object of'my invention is the provision of means for retaining the'end of the strip adjacent to the heated rolls when severed after the completion of a tube. 1

Another object of my invention is the provision of means whereby both sides of the strip contact with a heated roll before entering the winding area. 7

Referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrating one form of apparatus for winding tubes in accordance with my invention and in Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the winding machine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the mandrel driving mechanism and a portion of one of the heated rolls;

' Fig; 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing an Fig. 3.

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. desired manner forheating the strip being wound on a mandrel It, which is supported by both the rolls and which are arranged to be frictionally rotated by the tube being wound on the mandrel.

Each end of the roll 14, is supported in a fixed plate 211, while ,"each end of roll": H5 is supported in an arm 22; of, a bell crank, there being one at each end of the frame, both of which "are connected ,to a shaft 24 mounted in bearings in the end members Ill of the frame. f'I'heother arm 26 of each of the bell cranks are connected to a cross rod 28.

The bell cranks, rods 24, and 28, are so con- "nectedto each other that the roll it; rods 24 and 2B, are maintained in parallelism with each other, and are adapted to shift the roll I6 from the full line position to the dotted line position,

' and maintaining rollsl and [Sin parallelism in all positions. 7 Connected to the bas'e of eachframe end members I0 and spaced therefrom, is a bearing member 39 for the ends of a shaft 32";forming part'of .a treadle mechanism, having an end 'me'mber 34 .at each end of the frame connected to the rock v shaft, the, front ends of the end members 34 are connected to each other by an angle member 35, while the rear ends of said end members 34 are connected to a cross rod 38 so that the members 34, 3B and rod 38 form a rectangular fram'e' with the rock shaft 32, extending through the intermediate portion of the treadle.

Connected to each end of the rods 28 and '38 is a link 40 whereby the roll 16 can be moved from the dotted line position to the full line position shownin Fig. 1 by pressure on the member 36. v,

In order to maintain the roll it in a fixed position withrelation to the roll I4, a pawl treadle frame comprising a rod ,42 pivotally mounted in members 34 0f thetreadle mechanism, a lever 44 connected to each end of the rod,.42, within y the treadle' frame,-a cross bar 46 connected at each end to a lever 44, and arpawl 48 "pivotally mounted on a rod 42. at each end of the rod, in the plane the bearing member 30 adjacent thereto;

Connected to the cross bar 1- 46 is a tension sprin 50 arranged tomove the pawl frame ina counterclockwise direction about the axis of rod 42.. a a

Each end of the frame In is provided with ad- "justable Stopsy'52 i and 54 for limiting/the movement of the bell crank arm 26 and the roll I6 towards or from the roll I4.

The. arcshaped upper face of each bearing member 30 is provided with recesses a and 1) adapted to be engaged by the pawls 48 for retaining the roll I6 in either of its positions relative to the roll I4.

The various members of the apparatus when winding a tube are in the positions shown in full lines in Fig. l, in which a strip S is drawn from a roll R by the rotation of mandrel I8 to wind a tube T thereon while supported by the rolls, and which is rotated as hereinafter described. The strip S is drawn from the roll R about the several rotatable tensioning rods 56, shaft 24, be-

tWeen the rolls I4 and I6, which are rotated by frictional contact with the tube T being formed about the mandrel, and is held in contact therewith by the tension on the strip S caused by the -zigzag course of the strip from the roll R to the mandrel, together with a weighted roll 60 in contact with the roll R.

The roll 60 is mounted on a shaft journaled in an arm 62- at each end of the frame I and pivotedthereto at 64. The outer ends of the arms 62 are connected to each other by a cross bar 66 and 68 is a weight supporting bar extending from the central portion of the cross bar 66 on which a hook 10, having removable weights back of the strip S in its passage to the rolls I4 and I8, is a sheet metal member 16 arranged to catch and support the end of the strip S, when the strip is severed from the mandrel, and coacting with said member I6 is a clamping rod I8, connected at its ends to a pair of levers 80, one at each end of the machine pivoted on the rod 28, the arrangement being such that when the strip S is severed, the rod 18 will clamp the end of the strip against the member I6, and prevent the unthreading of the strip about the tensioning rods.

The driving mechanism for the mandrel is supported on an extension frame at the side of the main frame, formed of an upright member I I, which is connected to one of the end members III-of the frame, by the plate 20, and 82 is a plate 7 below plate '20 connected to members I0 and II.

Supported on plate 82 is a motor 84 connected to reducing gearing in a casing 86, and 90 is a sprocket wheel mounted on a shaft 92 extending is connected to the shaft I00 by a flexible coupling I04 and I06 is a similar coupling between shafts I00 and 96.

The shaft I00 is provided with a slip connection I08 between coupling members I04 and I08, for permitting the variation in the length of the shaft I00, as the tube T increases in size durin the winding.

In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the various membersof winding and tensioning means are supported on a frame comprising end members 4 I0, which are connected to each other by spaced angle members I2 as in the structure shown in Mounted for relative rotation in bearings at opposite ends of the machine are hollow rolls I4 and I6 arranged to be heated in any desired manner for heating the successive convolutes of the strip during the winding on a mandrel I8, which is supported by both the rolls and are arranged to be frictionally rotated by the tube being wound on the mandrel.

Both rolls I4 and I6 are supported in fixed bearings I9 extending upwardly from a plate 20 forming a continuation of the frame, on which the driving mechanism for the mandrel I8 is supported as shown in Fig. 2., i

The bearings I 9 are 'so arranged that the rolls may be readily removed for replacement by rolls of different diameters to vary the distance between the rolls, whereby the mandrel receiving space between the rolls can be provided for mandrels of different diameters or for mandrels having tube rolling surfaces of different lengths.

Rotatably mounted in the end members I0 of the frame are rolls I20 and I22 which are formed of rubber molded on a shaft or a rubber facing or similar material mounted on the faces of the rolls to frictionally engage the strip passing to the winding mandrel as hereinafter described.

Extending between the rolls I20 and I22 and rolls l4 and I6 is a plate I24, which is suitably supported from the frame end members I0 and extends the full length of the space between the end members I0.

Extending below the plate I24 are electric heating means I26, although any form of heating means for heating the plate may be provided.

Connected to the shaft of roll I20 beyond the outer face of the one'end plate I0 is a pulley I28, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the face of which is engaged by a brake shoe I30, pivotally connected to one end of a brake lever I32. The brake lever I32 is pivotally mounted on a trunnion I34 connected to the end plate and extending outwardly therefrom, and supported on the end of the brake lever I32 opposite the brake shoe is a weight supporting hook on which removable weights may be supported for the purpose hereinafter described.

Supported on the frame at the side of roll I4 is a platform I 40 for supporting the mandrels and from which the mandrels are rolled into Winding position between rolls I4 and I6, and to which the wound tubes on their mandrels can be rolled from between rolls I4 and I6.

As shown in Fig. 3, a portion of a tube T is wound on the mandrel I8 and formed from a strip S drawn from a roll R, which first passes around a tension roller 56, then between rollers I20 and I22, over the plate I24, where it is heated and then passes to the mandrel I8 between rolls I4 and I6.

A friction roller 60 journaled in an arm 62 pivotally connected to each end member I0 as described in the structure shown in Fig. l, and having supported thereon adjustable weights, to supply sufficient friction to prevent overrunning of the strip between the roll R and rolls I20 and I22.

The rolls I20 and I22 frictionally engage the strip S and are rotated thereby during the withdrawing of the strip from the roll R, while the final or desired tension on the strip for the winding on the'mandrel above that caused by the friction on the roll R. and the passage of the strip S from the roll R to rolls I28 and I22 is controlled by adjusting the pressure of the brake shoe I30 against the brake wheel or pulley I28.

The threading and winding of the strip 5', as shown in'Fig. 3, is accomplished in the following manner:

After the roll R has been positioned in its supports, the strip S is passed around tension roller 58', then between rollers I28 and I22, roller I29 is then rotated by rotating (by hand) pulley I28 to feed the strip to the mandrel and after the strip has been started on the mandrel, the mandrel is rotated by the shaft Hill through the medium of the clutch I02, to which the mandrel has been secured as described in connection with Fig. 2.

When the strip has been connected to the mandrel and the proper tension by the brake has been applied to the strip S, it is drawn from roll R, is heated to the desired temperature while passing over the plate I24, and as the tightness of the winding can be controlled by the tension on the strip, which can be varied by the pressure of the brake shoe I38 on pulley I28.

The tension placed on the strip during the winding will draw the tube into contact with the heated rolls I4 and I6 so the successive convolutes of the strip will be firmly pressed into contact with each other and cured during the Winding.

When the wall thickness of the wound tube has been reached, the winding of the strip is stopped, the strip is severed at any point between the two sets of rolls, and after severance of the strip, the rolls It and It may be rotated a sufiicient length of time to fixe and cure the short severed end of the strip to the wound tube.

One of the advantages of my invention results from the provision of tube winding mechanism whereby the tension on the strip being Wound on a rotating mandrel, draws the tube being wound directly into contact with both heating and supporting rolls, and thereby prevents any deflection of the tube during the winding, and thus produces tubes of uniform diameters throughout their length.

Another advantage results from so delivering the strip to the winding mandrel, that the strip is heated before the strip is engaged in winding relation with the tube as it is being wound, and under a tension only limited by the strength of the strip, and whereby an equal pressure is applied along the entire length of the tube as well as during the entire winding period of the tube, so that a tube of equal density throughout its entire wall is produced.

What I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Means for winding tubes from strip material, comprising a pair of mandrel supporting rolls, a mandrel on which the tube is to be wound, means to rotate the mandrel while positioned on both rolls, means for guiding the strip to the mandrel between the rolls, means for tensioning the strip, pivoted means for supporting one of said rolls for moving said roll away from the other roll when threading the strip between the rolls and for returning said roll, and means for locking the pivoted means when the movable roll has been moved into operative relation to the other roll after threading.

2. Means for winding tubes from strip material, comprising a pair of mandrel supporting rolls, a mandrel on which the tube is to be wound, means to rotate the mandrel while positioned on both rolls, means for guiding the strip to the mandrel between the rolls, means for tensionmg the strip, a pair of pivoted bell-cranks for supporting one of said rolls, means for shifting the bell-cranks for moving said roll away from the other roll when threading the strip between the rolls and for returning said roll after threading, and means for locking the bell-cranks to retain the movable roll relative to the other roll after being returned.

3. Means for winding tubes from strip material, comprising a pair of mandrel supporting rolls, a mandrel on which the tube is to be wound, means to rotate the mandrel while positioned on both rolls, means for guiding the strip to the mandrel between the rolls, means for tensioning the strip, pivoted means for sup-porting one of said rolls for moving said roll away from the other roll when threading the strip between the rolls and for returning said roll, means for looking the pivotal means when the movable roll has been moved into operative relation to the other roll after threading, and a clamp between the rolls and the tensioning means for holding the strip in position between the rolls after threading before being wound on the mandrel.

Means for winding tubes from strip material, comprising a pair of mandrel supporting rolls, a mandrel on which the tube is to be wound, means to rotate the mandrel while positioned on both rolls, means for guiding the strip to the mandrel between the rolls, means for tensioning the strip, pivoted means for supporting one of said rolls for moving said roll away from the other roll when threading the strip between the rolls and for returning said roll, treadle mechanism connected to the roll supporting means for moving said movable 'roll relative to the other roll and means for locking the treadle mechanism when the movable roll is moved towards the other roll after threading to retain the roll in rolling relation with the mandrel.

5. Means for winding tubes from strip material, comprising a pair of mandrel supporting rolls, a mandrel on which the tube is to be wound, means to rotate the mandrel while positioned on both rolls, means for guiding the strip to the mandrel between the rolls, means for tensioning the strip, pivoted means for supporting one of said rolls for moving said roll away from the other roll when threading the strip between the rolls and for returning said roll, treadle mechanism connected to the roll supporting means for moving said movable roll relative to the other roll, a treadle frame pivotally mounted on the treadle mechanism, and a pawl carried by the treadle frame for locking the treadle mechanism when the movable roll is moved towards the other roll after threading to retain the roll in operating relation with the mandrel.

' WAYNE R. SCI-IERER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 858,451 Haefely July 2, 1907 966,460 Meirowsky Aug. 9, 1910 1,170,837 Menzel Feb. 8, 1916 1,284,297 Frederick Nov. 12, 1918 1,478,944 Dunlap Dec. 25, 1923 1,646,479 Frederick Oct. 25, 1927 2,181,645 Spaulding Nov. 28, 1939 

